Dear Pat: The potholes in the Argyle Street Kroger and Big Lots parking lot are horrendous. When are they going to fix them?  A Jackson reader

Dear Reader: Help is on the way. A local firm was sought for the job, and a bid is being finalized. The actual repaving work should begin on the parking lot that serves Kroger's, Big Lots and a Fifth-Third Bank branch within weeks.

Dear Pat: Why do the police agencies publicize where they are going to concentrate their enforcement, like seat-belt usage and other traffic violations? If drivers know they are going to be watched, they will obey the laws.  A Spring Arbor Township reader

Dear Reader: Police agencies hope that by alerting motorists they may encourage those who may not normally observe certain traffic laws  like wearing a seatbelt  to follow the law, at least during targeted times. If that happens, they might be more apt to make it a regular habit.

"If we can get people to comply voluntarily with seat-belts laws or going the speed limit, that's good," Jackson County Undersheriff Tom Finco said. "We prefer to have people comply on their own rather than setting up traps," he said. "We'd rather not write tickets, but it's a necessary evil for traffic safety and to protect citizens."

Dear Pat: How do I find out the levels of the Chain of Lakes: Big Wolf, Alcott and Center Lake. Who controls them and who can I contact about the lake levels?  A Grass Lake Township reader

Dear Reader: The Michigan Center dam controls the levels of the Chain of Lakes in Leoni and Grass Lake townships. Art Manke, manager of the Leoni Township Department of Public Works, is the best source for lake level information, according to Supervisor Todd Brittain. Manke can be reached at 522-8445.

The city of Jackson used to control the dam but deeded it to Leoni Township a few years ago.

Brittain said two of the three gates on the dam are opened occasionally to ease lake levels by letting lake water flow into the Grand River after heavy rains. "You have to be careful about it because we don't want flooding along the Grand River," Brittain said.